This is the second volume in this first embryology textbook in English to cover in detail human development. The first volume was published in 1910. There are contributions from many key embryologists and pages specific to each of the main editors/authors Franz Keibel and Franklin Mall.

Pages where the terms "Historic Textbook" and "Historic Embryology" appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms and interpretations may not reflect our current scientific understanding. (More? Embryology History | Historic Embryology Papers)

Preface

Franz Keibel (1861 - 1929)

Franklin Mall (1862 - 1917)

The second volume of this Manual makes its appearance almost half a year later than the editors had hoped. Explanations of the delay are hardly necessary; they are self-evident in the case of a book in which a large number of authors participate. The delay would, however, have been greater had not Professor Tandler and Dr. Evans undertaken the sections on the development of the heart and of the blood-vessels, which had originally been placed in other hands. To these two collaborators the editors are under special obligations. The account of the development of the sense-organs, for which also other plans were made, had to be undertaken by one of the editors, Keibel, an arrangement which precluded the treatment of the subject entirely on the basis of personal observation. A number of the contributions to the volume have been completed for a considerable time (some for more than a year), and consequently it has been impossible to include in them all the references to the most recent literature (since the beginning of 1910).

The editors regret that this second volume has considerably exceeded the limits originally set for it. If it had been written by a single hand, a greater condensation would certainly have resulted in many chapters, but under the circumstances this has not been possible, notwithstanding the earnest endeavors of the editors.

On the whole, however, the editors feel that they have reason both to congratulate themselves on the completion of the work, which, in spite of many minor defects, is undoubtedly an important one, and to hope that it will give further impetus to the study of human embryology.

In conclusion the editors wish to express their heartiest thanks to all those who have assisted in the completion of the work, to the collaborators, to Professor J. P. McMurrich for the excellent translation of the chapters by Zuckerkandl, Keibel, Tandler, and Felix, and, above all, to the publishers S. Hirzel and the J. B. Lippincott Company. They have done everything in their power to make the work a success, and, especially, have made possible the illustration of the text by so many and such excellent figures.

Pages where the terms "Historic Textbook" and "Historic Embryology" appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms and interpretations may not reflect our current scientific understanding. (More? Embryology History | Historic Embryology Papers)

Pages where the terms "Historic Textbook" and "Historic Embryology" appear on this site, and sections within pages where this disclaimer appears, indicate that the content and scientific understanding are specific to the time of publication. This means that while some scientific descriptions are still accurate, the terminology and interpretation of the developmental mechanisms reflect the understanding at the time of original publication and those of the preceding periods, these terms and interpretations may not reflect our current scientific understanding. (More? Embryology History | Historic Embryology Papers)